Weekly Sermon
 
In Psalm 119:6 the psalmist proclaimed, “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.”  In verse 31 the psalmist lifted up his prayer, “I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.”  In verse 46 the psalmist expressed his commitment, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”  Again in verse 80 the psalmist lifted up his prayer, “Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.”  Yet again in verse 116 the psalmist lifted up his prayer, “Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”
 
In all five of these verses, the psalmist employed either the verb “ashamed” or its corresponding noun “shame.”  Furthermore, in all five of these verses the psalmist spoke about not being ashamed or not having shame.  What then does it mean to be “ashamed”?  It means to have a feeling of humiliation or embarrassment because of some wrong or foolish decision.  So then, what was involved in the psalmist’s desire not to be ashamed?
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Weekly Sermon
 
In Psalm 119:6 the psalmist gave the testimony, “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.”  Furthermore, in verse 15 the psalmist expressed the commitment, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.”  Finally, in verse 117 the psalmist expressed the commitment, “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.”
 
In all three of these verses, we find the psalmist employing the verb “have respect” in relation to the Word and ways of the Lord.  Concerning the Word of the Lord, the psalmist declared in the closing portion of Psalm 119:6, “When I have respect unto all thy commandments [that is – unto all the commandments of the Lord’s Word].”  Concerning the ways of the Lord, the psalmist declared in the closing portion of verse 15, “And have respect unto thy ways.”  Then again concerning the Word of the Lord, the psalmist declared in the closing portion of verse 117, “And I will have respect unto thy statutes [that is – unto the statutes of the Lord’s Word] continually.”  So then, what does this verb “have respect” mean?  It means “to view with a high regard, to view as being worthy of high honor and priority affection, to hold a spirit of high regard, honor, esteem, and even love and joy toward someone or something.”  This is just the heart attitude that the psalmist, this young man of God, determined to have toward the Word and ways of the Lord.  Even so, this is just the heart attitude that we also ought to have toward the Word and ways of our Lord.

Weekly Sermon

James 1:25 reads, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

In James 1:22 God’s Word delivers an instruction and an admonition concerning our right relationship toward God’s Word, saying, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”  The positive instruction is that we are ever to pursue being doers of God’s Word.  The negative admonition is that we are never to be hearers only of God’s Word, deceiving our own selves thereby.  In order to emphasize and explain this admonition, James 1:23-24 presents an illustration concerning those who are hearers only of God’s Word, and not doers also, saying, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” 

Then in direct contrast to the hearers only of God’s Word, James 1:25 describes those who are doers also of God’s Word and pronounces a promise of the Lord’s blessing upon them, saying, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”  Grammatically, James 1:25 can be divided into four parts.  First, there is the description of daily study – “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty.”  Second, there is the description of diligent submission – “And continueth therein.”  Third, there is the description of dedicated obedience – “He being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work.”  Finally, there is the declaration of divine blessing – “This man shall be blessed in his deed.”

1.  Do you believe that the Lord our God desires and requires for us believers to be in His Word every day?

2.  Do you believe that it is necessary for us believers to be consistently in God’s Word in order to live pleasing unto the Lord our God?

3.  Do you believe that it is necessary for us believers to be consistently in God’s Word in order to grow in spiritual maturity?

4.  Do you believe that it is necessary for us believers to be consistently in God’s Word in order to walk as good, godly Christians?

5.  Do you believe that it is spiritually important for us believers to walk daily abiding in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit?

6.  Do you believe that it is necessary for us believers to be consistently in God’s Word in order to walk abiding in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit?

7.  Do you believe that we believers will be spiritually immature, spiritually backslidden, and wordly Christians if we are not consistently in God’s Word?

8.  Do you believe that it is a sin against the Lord our God when we are not consistently in God’s Word?

9.  Do you believe that it is necessary for us believers to be consistently in God’s Word in order to have an effective prayer life?

10.  Do you believe that it is necessary for us believers to be consistently in God’s Word in order to experience the peace and joy of the Lord?

11.  Do you believe that we believers should be deeply burdened for a true, spiritual revival in our individual lives, our individual homes, and our individual church?

12.  Do you believe that a true, spiritual revival is Biblically and genuinely possible for our lives, homes, and church?

13.  Do you believe that the Lord our God graciously and deeply desires to grant the gift of a true, spiritual revival in our lives, homes, and church?

14.  Do you believe that we believers do not often experience the gift of a true, spiritual revival simply because we ourselves will not meet the Lord’s requirements for such a revival?

15.  Do you believe that a true, spiritual revival will have a real and noticeable impact upon the character of our hearts and the conduct of our lives?

16.  Do you believe that a true, spiritual revival in our individual lives will transform the character of our daily attitudes, both privately and publicly?

17.  Do you believe that a true, spiritual revival will motivate us unto a deep interest after the daily fellowship of the Lord and after daily obedience unto the Lord?

18.  Do you believe that a true, spiritual revival will motivate us unto a deep interest and a driving priority for the things of the Lord, such as His Word, His work, and His church?

19.  Do you believe that a true, spiritual revival will motivate us unto a consistent and faithful witness for Christ of the gospel unto the lost around us?

20.  Do you believe that it is displeasing unto our Lord and wickedness against our Lord when we do not walk daily in the path of true, spiritual revival?

Posted in Thought for Meditation, Daily Bible Study, Spiritual Revival

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Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to two previous sermons:  Why We Must Be in God's Word Daily (Part 1)
                                                                                       Why We Must Be in God's Word Daily (Part 2)     

11.  For hope & comfort in heart.

Romans 15:4 – “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Psalm 119:81 – “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.”

Psalm 119:49-52 – “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.”

12.  For divine peace in heart.

Psalm 119:165 – “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

13.  For divine joy in heart.

Psalm 119:54 – “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.”

Psalm 119:111 – “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”

Jeremiah 15:16 – “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

Psalm 19:8 – “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

14.  For spiritual wisdom in life.

Psalm 37:30-31 – “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”

Psalm 119:130 – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

Psalm 119:97-100 – “O how love I thy law!  It is my meditation all the day.  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.”

Psalm 19:7-8 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

15.  For spiritual guidance in life.

Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Proverbs 6:22-23 – “When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”

16.  For godly parenting of our children.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 – “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

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This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon:  Why We Must Be in God's Word Daily (Part 1)

6.  For godly ministry unto others.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Ephesians 4:11-16 – “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

7.  For spiritual victory against the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-17 – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

8.  For God’s approval upon us.

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Acts 17:11 – “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

9.  For God’s blessing upon us.

Psalm 1:1-3 – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

10.  For the development of faith.

Romans 10:17 – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

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1.  For Christ’s abiding in us (For the Holy Spirit’s filling of us)

John 15:4-7 – “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Ephesians 5:18-21 – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

Colossians 3:16-17 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

2.  For God’s sanctifying unto Himself

John 17:14-20 – “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.”

John 15:1-3 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

3.  For spiritual transformation unto Christ-likeness

Romans 12:2 – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

James 1:21 – “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

4.  For spiritual growth unto maturity

1 Peter 2:2 – “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

5.  For spiritual protection from temptation

1 Corinthians 10:11 – “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Psalm 19:11 – “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”

Psalm 119:11 – “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Psalm 119:104 – “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”

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Thought for Meditation

In order to be Biblically and spiritually minded, 
rather than worldly and carnally minded,
an individual must be daily reading, studying, and meditating 
in the truth and wisdom of God's Holy Word.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:7 reads, “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.”

In this verse we find three ingredients.  First, we find the ingredient of praising the Lord.  Second, we find the ingredient of an upright heart.  Third, we find the ingredient of God’s true and righteous Word.  Furthermore, in this verse we find a progression to these three ingredients.  Although we encounter the ingredient of praising the Lord first in the sentence, it is actually the last ingredient in the progression of thought.  The opening portion of this verse speaks of praising the Lord our God “with uprightness of heart.”  Indeed, in order to so praise the Lord our God, we must first possess the ingredient of an upright heart.  In fact, in order for our praise to be acceptable unto the Lord our God, it must flow out of an upright heart.  So then, in the progression of thought “uprightness of heart” must come before acceptable praise unto the Lord.  Yet the closing portion of the verse then proceeds to reveal the means to such “uprightness of heart,” saying, “When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.”  Indeed, the ingredient of an upright heart comes only as and after we learn the righteous truths of God’s Holy Word.  In fact, God’s true and righteous Word is the very foundation for an upright heart.  An upright heart can only be built upon the foundation of God’s righteous Word.  So then, in this series of messages, let us consider the relationship of God’s righteous Word to an upright heart and the process to develop “uprightness of heart” through the truth of God’s righteous Word.